Ashghal begins briefings for Qatari firms

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) Promoting Qatari companies to play a bigger role in future projects, the Public Works Authority, (Ashghal) yesterday commenced a series of industry briefings with representatives from different contracting firms to examine the Framework of Contracts strategy for the implementation of its nationwide local roads and drainage programme, said a press statement.

More than 500 officials representing 75 qualified companies will attend the three-day event to outline the implementation of the Framework of Contracts passed by Ashghal to develop more than 200 projects within its Local Roads and Drainage Programme.

The Framework of Contracts is the conclusion of a comprehensive pre-qualification process Ashghal conducted for contractors willing to cooperate with the Authority. As part of the process 75 qualified companies were approved to implement construction and development projects under the programme within the next five to seven years.

Saoud Al Tamimi, Manager of Roads Projects Department, on behalf of Nasser bin Ali Al Mawlawi, the President of Ashghal, highlighted the importance of this Framework of Contracts as an important step towards the implementation of the local roads and drainage programme.

The authority has adopted the Framework of Contracts to expedite the implementation of construction and development projects within the scope of the local roads and drainage programme. Qualified companies will be awarded contracts to implement works assigned by Ashghal according to the approved prices previously submitted by the companies. This speeds up the selection process for the contractors, and ensures fast delivery in accordance with the international quality standards.

The Framework of Contracts also aims to enhance the role of Qatari companies, and develop their capacity. Under the framework process, the main criteria for the selection process is the need for the successful bidders to be either a Qatari-registered company, or a joint venture of an international firm with a Qatari partner who owns not less than 50 percent of the shares of the company.

This Framework of Contracts will also allow Qatari companies gain the experience they need to participate in larger projects in the future.

Through this system, Ashghal will be able to process the preliminary approvals and prior agreements that have been concluded with the participating contractors. This, in turn, will reduce the time required to award contracts for the implementation of projects. In this context, Ashghal has initiated agreements allowing qualified companies to implement field visits to sites covered by the programme.

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